Like many places in the mid-twentieth century, Washington, DC's Maryland suburbs had their share of summer carnivals and fairs featuring amusement rides, games, food stands, entertainment, and family activities. They usually lasted for a week or two and were gone. Then there were the more permanent amusement parks that would typically open for the whole summer then close during the winter months. Two of those in the Maryland suburbs were Marshall Hall and Glen Echo. Marshall Hall was located on the Potomac River in Charles County, Maryland, about 20 miles south of Washington, DC. Glen Echo was in Montgomery County, Maryland, just northwest of Washington, DC, along the Potomac River near Cabin John. Steve frequented both of these parks in his youth and teenage years. Glen Echo was probably more special to him because it was larger and, importantly, he benefited from his mother’s many stories about her enjoyable days there in Glen Echo’s early years.
In the early 1950s, arriving at Glen Echo Park by streetcar was part of the adventure. As the trolley rolled through the leafy suburbs beside the Potomac River, families, couples, and groups of children eagerly watched for the park’s distinctive entrance. Stepping off the streetcar, visitors were greeted by colorful signs, the cheerful sounds of carousel music, and the excited chatter of summer crowds. Ahead stood the park’s iconic Spanish Ballroom and whimsical architecture, painted in bright colors that reflected the park’s Chautauqua-era roots. The scent of popcorn, cotton candy, and hot dogs drifted through the warm air. Beyond the gates, rides, games, picnic grounds, and dancing awaited. For many Washington-area residents, the streetcar ride to Glen Echo was a cherished summer tradition in itself.
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“Glen Echo Entrance”
